Archives

Blogs I Follow

Goodreads

Recent Posts: Standing On God's Word

“Sizing up the Enemy” Date: 12/4/18 Our Prayer: Let’s Pray Heavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle. Today we claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God! We put on the girdle of truth! May we stand firm in the truth of Your Word so we will not be a victim […]

The Spiritual Warfare Weapons Date: 11/25/18 Introduction: Let’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle. Today we claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God! We put on the girdle of truth! May we stand firm in the truth of Your Word so we will not be a victim of […]

October 1 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise… But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine […]

God’s Coming Kingdom on the Earth In thumbing through history’s pages, one must remain at length in the reading of the fabulous nineteenth century—better known as the Victorian Era—for it was in this period, under the reign of Queen Victoria, that the British Empire came to its great expansion through colonization. This was, in truth, the Golden Age. Scientific accomplishments gave impetus to the times, and science began to prophesy that it would bring in a new world order, a new age. Out of so promising a background, the twentieth century was born in high hopes and aspirations. Perhaps there was never a more propitious time for high ideals and dreams than the opening of the twentieth century. With a fanfare of trumpets, it moved upon the scene. Optimism was the dominant note of the hour. Man was going forth in that day as a knight clad in shining armor. “Onward and upward forever” was the catch phrase of the new day. Just around the comer was the millennial kingdom—coming to pass ipso facto—for man had willed it and had made the world a glorious place! Now the church, quick to catch the spirit of the age and permeated with this leaven of false hope, spoke bravely of converting the world. In the writings of the year 1901 lies an interesting bit of reading on the Lord’s Prayer. Listen to this kind of daydreaming: The Prayer, thus taught us, gives faith and hope that His kingdom is coming. The sun’s dawning rays on the mountain tops are the assurance that the perfect day will come. The best things in individuals and in nations, increasing each decade, are proof of their final prevalence!1 Further, we note that the Student Volunteer Movement of 1912 had as its motto: “The World for Christ in this Generation.” In later years, a minister identified with this movement told me, “It is hard for me today to realize that at that time we actually believed that the world would be won for Christ within the next few years.” There was a great missionary emphasis in the early part of the twentieth century. Africa, China, and Japan were open fully to the gospel, and inroads were made for the cause of Christ everywhere throughout the world. About that same time, a Peace Conference was held at The Hague in Holland. At this conference men wore little ploughshares made out of swords upon the lapels of their coats. “There will never be another war,” they said. “There will be a warless world—we are coming into a new day.” It is difficult for us today to relate to the thinking of men in that day. Postmillennialism was in the saddle, and riding mankind was a push towards “building the kingdom.” In fact, the church was made synonymous with the kingdom in that day. But frankly, any suggestion of the coming of Jesus Christ would have been a source of great embarrassment, as His coming would only have interfered with the accomplishments of men, holding up the glorious program they had for self-improvement of the race. Men who were premillennial and did speak of the coming of Christ were looked down upon—they were considered strange individuals. And strange seemed the messages of such men as Dr. Brooks, Dr. Wilbur Chapman, Dr. Morehouse and Dr. Torrey. In his introduction to Dr. W. E. Blackstone’s little book, “Jesus is Coming,” Dr. Torrey stated how difficult it was to preach the precious hope in days when popular opinion would have agreed 1 Author unknown. 14 that the sweeping successes of man would surely bring in the kingdom. But there has come a great change! In the race today, all the way from statesman down to the humblest ranks, people are disappointed, discouraged, distraught, and disillusioned. What has happened since the dawn of the twentieth century? An inventory includes wars the likes of which the world had never seen. A worldwide depression swept over us, and today a godless ideology threatens Christianity. Science is no longer the savior of the race but the destroyer. In the world of the spiritual, postmillennialism is as dead as a dodo bird. You will not find on the topside of the earth today a reputable theologian who is postmillennial. Now that does not mean that they have become premillennial—they have not. They have become amillennial. They have given up the idea of the Millennium altogether because they have come to the conclusion that they are not getting the contract from God to build the kingdom of heaven here upon this earth. Your Kingdom Come… An idealistic character in Robert Browning’s poem, “Pippa Passes,” sings forth the spirit of the nineteenth century: The year’s at the spring And day’s at the morn; Morning’s at seven; The hillside’s dew-pearled, The lark’s on the wing; The snail’s on the thorn: God’s in his heaven All’s right with the world! But in our present day I fear we shall have to turn to Shakespeare’s Hamlet for a summary of our age of confusion. It is there that we find the line, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” There is something definitely wrong in this world in which we live. In spite of that, however, men are still talking bravely about building the kingdom. But, my friend, they are conducting a bankruptcy sale on a new world order and a fire sale on a new social order. I am of the same opinion as Dr. George Guille who said that it seems as if the church is in the business of making the world a better place for men to go to hell in. Yes, the church was engaged, and feverishly so, in its program for making the world religious when it suddenly became infatuated with an idea that greatly expanded its program—namely, that the church could and would bring the kingdom of God here on this earth. Now this term “kingdom” causes, I suppose, more confusion than any other term in Scripture. What meaning is wrapped up in that word? I do not want to appear too dogmatic where good men differ, but there are certain basic principles that we can state. And I would like the liberty of making this personal observation. For years I thought that the Old Testament and the Epistles were difficult since they contained doctrine. But I thought the Gospels were simple and, in a measure, quite easy to comprehend. May I say to you that I have arrived at the conclusion that the Old Testament and the Epistles are simple, while the most difficult portion of the Word of God is the Gospels! It is in the Gospels that we find the theme song, “The Kingdom.” “Pippa Passes,” part I, lines 221-228 Hamlet, act 1, sc. line 90 15 Now if I can make clear to you something of what this kingdom means, it will help you, I believe, more than any other one thing to get a correct perspective of the Word of God and of life. Basically, mention of the kingdom lies in the Old Testament. When John the Baptist appeared with the Lord Jesus Christ, they began with the message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Now, neither the Lord Jesus nor John explained it; neither shed any light upon it in the sense of attempting to define it. This argues that the people to whom they were speaking understood what they meant. It is that kingdom which, at first, had been vouchsafed to David, of which God said to him, “I’ll bring One to sit on your throne, I’ll bring the Messiah, and He will reign in righteousness and justice and peace on this earth” (see 2 Samuel 7:12-17). The prophets took up this song and sang it in the dark hours of the night. A day was coming when Jerusalem would become the very center of this earth—the Capital City, if you please. It was the bright ray of hope in the darkest hour of these people. They sang that the entire earth would be ruled over by this One who was to come. Even nature would be affected. The desert would blossom as the rose. The sun, moon and stars would be affected. Just as the events that took place in Bethlehem made it outshine all the other thousands of cities of Judah, so is this little planet of ours made the jewel of the great universe of God—for here is where the glory of God was to break! May I say that this kingdom is a progressive and growing thing! Isaiah said: Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:7) My own point of view—and like many McGee theories, it may not be too good—is that this kingdom will increase and grow throughout eternity. That is going to be one of the glories of it. There will be nothing static or sterile about this kingdom at all; it will be characterized by constant growth! And I think it is defined in our petition, “Your kingdom come.” Your Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” What does the Lord Jesus mean as He gives this petition? Is it that the will of God, which is all prevailing in heaven, shall ultimately prevail here upon this earth? Yes, His glory will shine forth on this earth! It is God’s intention that His will shall someday prevail here where rebellion has broken out and man lives in sin and unbelief. AMEN.

Week # 6

Weekly Pattern: Priorities

Prayers from the Bible:

Questions: These questions are (Agree/disagree) explain as much as you can.

1). The Kingdom of God is not a real earthly Kingdom, it’s a spiritual kingdom – Agree/Disagree
2). The Kingdom of God is something Jesus didn’t really talk about – Agree/Disagree
3). The Kingdom of God has not yet come. It will come when Jesus returns – Agree/Disagree
4). The Kingdom of God is something only church leaders can see – Agree/Disagree
5). The Kingdom of God is something all Christians are meant to build – Agree/Disagree
6). The Kingdom of God is as small as a mustard seed but stretches across the world – Agree/Disagree
7). The Kingdom of God is something Jesus said had arrived – Agree/Disagree
8). The kingdom of God is located in Jerusalem – Agree/Disagree

1). The Kingdom of God is not a real earthly Kingdom, it’s a spiritual kingdom –
I agree It’s spiritual but also impacts the real world
2). The Kingdom of God is something Jesus didn’t really talk about –
I disagree with that because that is why Jesus came to earth to ministry to everyone; Jesus’ whole ministry was proclaiming the Kingdom
3). The Kingdom of God has not yet come. It will come when Jesus returns
I disagree with that because Jesus said, the King has come. The King has dealt with sin once for all in the sacrifice of himself. The King sits at the Father’s right hand and reigns now until all his enemies are under his feet. The King’s righteousness is now already ours by faith. The King’s Spirit is now already dwelling in us. The King’s holiness is now already being produced in us. The King’s joy and peace have now already been given to us. The King’s victory over Satan is now already ours as we use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. The King’s power to witness is now already available to us. And the King’s gifts—the gifts of his Spirit—are now already available for ministry. And now with a sober awareness of the mystery of the kingdom—present yet future; fulfilled but not consummated—let us go on as a church to seek the kingdom first—to discover all we yet should be for the salvation of lost sinners and the glory of King Jesus! It has come in part but will be completed perfectly at the second coming
4). The Kingdom of God is something only church leaders can see
I strongly disagree with that, because Jesus didn’t say just the leaders would receive the Kingdom of God, but all who believe in Him through faith. The kingdom of God has several aspects. The Lord is the Sovereign of the universe, and so in that sense His kingdom is universal (1 Timothy 6:15). At the same time, the kingdom of God involves repentance and the new birth, as God rules in the hearts of His children in this world in preparation for the next. The work begun on earth will find its consummation in heaven (see Philippians 1:6); all Christians can see the Kingdom
5). The Kingdom of God is something all Christians are meant to build
I agree with this because all Christians receive the Kingdom of God when they because His children. We are to help build the Kingdom of God by witnessing to others and by giving our testimony. All disciples are called to build God’s kingdom
6). The Kingdom of God is as small as a mustard seed but stretches across the world –
I agree with this because Jesus said it was like a small mustard seed which is tiny, but yet it grows and produces a large plant. This means that the citizens of the Kingdom of God is growing every day! These scriptures tell us about the growth of the Kingdom of Christ; (Psalm 72:16, Isaiah 9:7; 54:3; 55:5; 60:5; 60:22, Mark 4:31, 32). It is a past, present, and future Kingdom of God, amen; it starts in the heart but impacts the world
7). The Kingdom of God is something Jesus said had arrived –
I agree to this. Jesus did say that in the Scripture, because when He came the Kingdom of God came with Him. See Matthew 4:17
8). The Kingdom of God is located in Jerusalem –
I disagree with this! It’s not located in Jerusalem. Jesus said that the Kingdom of God came to enter into our hearts, but there will be a Kingdom set up by God, so His Son Jesus can reign over it. It’s located in the hearts of Christians

5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

After praises come priorities. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” What in the world would happen in your life if God’s will were done on earth as it is in heaven-absolutely, perfectly, completely? How would your life change if every day you came to God and said, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven in my relationship with You, in my relationship with my spouse, in my relationship with my children, and in my relationships at work?” Bring your life before Him and say, “Lord, here are my priorities,” and then pray through your priorities.

Father God, we ask that Thy Kingdom come in our hearts today in Jesus’ name. Help us to see Your Kingdom in the eyes of our own hearts. Thank You, Lord, for making us a part of Your Kingdom, making us Your children that we may serve You, and have a blessed life with You. Teach us this day that Jesus is the reason for the season, and not just a religious thing to do for profit. We honor our Savior and His birth always. We praise You, Lord, because it’s important to us as believers. Lord, You are our Shepherd and we shall not want for anything because You supply all our needs through-out the year. Father God, bless every Prayer Warrior in this community. Bless their family, their finances, their jobs, their bodies with good health through-out the holiday. Help us to be a witness while we shop for family and friends. Show us how glorify Your Kingdom here on earth. This we pray in our precious Jesus’ name; Immanuel, God thank You for being with us. AMEN.